LAVAL, QC, May 10, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- ATD.A, ATD.B / TSX Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. announces that Mr. Réal Plourde has decided to step down as Chief Operating Officer effective today. Mr. Plourde remains Executive Vice-President and a member of the Executive Committee. Mr. Brian Hannasch, currently Senior Vice-President, U.S. Operations and a close associate of Mr. Plourde, succeeds as Chief Operating Officer.
Mr. Plourde's contribution to the growth of Couche-Tard over the past 25 years has been exceptional. His leadership and deep knowledge of our industry has been a key factor in allowing the Company to attainment preeminent position in Canada and U.S.
"I carefully weighed and prepared this change which meets two key objectives: I will be free to devote more time to personal ventures while continuing to actively contribute to the Company's strategic direction", declared Réal Plourde, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer.
"We are delighted that Mr. Plourde agreed to remain in an active capacity as a member of the Executive Committee. As a result, we can still tap into his tremendous experience and knowledge of the convenience industry", said Alain Bouchard, President and CEO.
Mr. Bouchard also noted that Mr. Brian Hannasch's new role underscores the Company's dedication to promote talent within its own ranks when possible and to ensure a seamless transition as the Company continues to grow. Mr. Hannasch joined Couche-Tard in 2001 as part of the Bigfoot Food Stores acquisition. At that time, Mr. Hannasch held the position of Vice-President of Operations, Bigfoot. Since then, he has held a range of Vice-President and Senior Vice-President positions within the Company. These included acquisition, integration, and operations roles with oversight for Canadian and U.S.
divisions. Regarded as a highly skilled manager, he built his reputation by focusing on flawless execution and delivering results. Previous to joining the Company, Mr. Hannasch spends 13 years with Amoco and BP in various downstream positions.
Profile Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In North America, Couche-Tard is the largest independent convenience store operator (whether integrated with a petroleum company or not) in terms of number of company-operated stores. Couche-Tard currently operates a network of 5,883 convenience stores, 4,142 of which include motor fuel dispensing, located in 11 large geographic markets, including eight in the United States covering 43 states and the District of Columbia, and three in Canada covering all ten provinces. More than 52,000 people are employed throughout Couche-Tard's retail convenience network and service centers.
The statements set forth in this press release, which describes Couche-Tard's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or forecasts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation.
Positive or negative verbs such as "plan", "evaluate", "estimate", "believe" and other related expressions are used to identify such statements. Couche-Tard would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts, could differ materially from those indicated or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. Major factors that may lead to a material difference between Couche-Tard's actual results and the projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements include the effects of the integration of acquired businesses and the ability to achieve projected synergies, fluctuations in margins on motor fuel sales, competition in the convenience store and retail motor fuel industries, exchange rate variations, and such other risks as described in detail from time to time in the reports filed by Couche-Tard with securities authorities in Canada and the United States. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information available as of the date of the release.
SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard inc.
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